We recently visited Alleyn’s Fish Tank Club to see what they've been doing with the modest aquatic environment that is housed in the school’s science block.
Upon arrival, two of the club members were happily getting on with their club duties under the watchful eye of Dr. Greetham – a fish tank fan who is living vicariously through the club. Evie (Year 7) and Reuben (Year 12) were sprucing up the tank with scouring pads, carefully scrubbing the algae off the glass panes and completing a 50/50 water replacement, all while their eclectic mix of poisson, made up of Clown Loaches, Neon Tetras, Guppies and Dwarf Gourami swam around unperturbed.
As Evie and Reuben chatted away about the different species in the tank, it was easy to pick up on the relaxed but rewarding nature of the club. They expressed how it’s been a great year so far for the club, who to date have not ‘suffered any losses’ in their fish stock and have been carefully refining the tank environment to be more suited to the species housed within.
They’ve been learning about the different species and overcoming unexpected hurdles like how to manage a booming snail population, and made special mention of one very mysterious fish, nicknamed Dr. Platy, which spends most of its time lurking around in the Dr. Who style phone box within the tank, clearly preferring the calm respite of its four walls over the busy environment in the wider tank.
Despite some murky waters over the Easter break, the tank's inhabitants have remained happy, and with the recent introduction of freshwater plants, the club has been able to enhance the habitat and create a simple yet thriving aquatic environment.
Reuben, who has been part of the club since Year 7, discussed his enjoyment in making the tank more self-reliant and made note of the community that they have built around the club. He sees it as a fun and relaxing environment, where members learn about and care for the fish, while exploring elements of interior design and biology and gaining the satisfaction of seeing the fish grow as the years pass. Reuben is particularly struck by how the tank has changed and evolved over the last 5 years of his involvement.
Evie, who is one of the younger members of the club, also enjoys the social element, and is quite fond of the fish themselves, stating that they’re all pretty cool. When asked what she likes the most about the club, Evie made mention of the elements of fun, expressing:
‘You get to talk with other members while cleaning and most people involved have cool interests’.
Clearly, there’s a lot more to this club than just a few fish in a tank. This humble but passionate group is brought together by a seemingly simple activity which creates opportunities for younger students to connect with older ones, fosters a sense of community and camaraderie and allows for some laid back learning. Nice work, Fish Tank Club!
Junior School Open Day
The next Alleyn's Junior School Open Event is from 1.30pm to 3pm on Wednesday 22 May 2024. There will be a Head's Talk at 1.40pm after which you will be offered a tour of the school with a pupil. There is no need to book a place at this Open Event - everyone is welcome.
Last updated on 20 05 24 at 09:12
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